death

Pollock Pines man facing 43 years in prison after found guilty of murdering six-week-old baby

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The man responsible for abusing a baby from the time he was eight days old and his death five weeks later is looking at spending the next 43 years in prison after being found guilty on March 21, 2019, in Judge Kenneth Melikian's courtroom.

Michael Swope, 32, was convicted of second-degree murder of baby Sammy as well as three counts of felony child abuse causing great bodily injury for breaking various ribs on the baby over infant's short and traumatic life.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

3/13

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

The following is a recap of activity for the South Lake Tahoe Police Department from March 4 - March 13, 2019. They had 463 calls and DMV checks during this period. The last report for February 20 - March 3, 2019 can be seen HERE.

Calls Resulting in Arrests:

3/4
Drug Offense in the 1000 block of Reno Ave
City Property Involved in the 1800 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd
Vandalism in the 900 block of Emerald Bay Rd
Unlicensed Driver in the 900 block of Ski Run Blvd

Former South Lake Tahoe resident killed in I-580 crash

The Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) has released information about Friday's fatal crash on Interstate 580 that killed a former South Tahoe High student and Carson City resident.

On March 8 at approximately 2:25 a.m., NHP Troopers were dispatched to the scene of a single vehicle crash south of the Galena Creek Bridge, just north of the US-395 Alternate/Bowers Mansion exit.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

2/28

Body of Carnelian Bay woman found one mile from car crash on SR28

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The body of a 46-year-old Carnelian Bay woman was found Thursday morning after Placer County Search & Rescue teams had been looking for her since a Monday afternoon car accident.

Kathryn "Lani" Jones was found on a popular hiking and snowshoe trail about one-half mile from her home.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

The following is a recap of activity for the South Lake Tahoe Police Department from February 20 - March 3. They responded to 405 calls during this period. Last week's report for February 8- February 19, 2019.

Calls Resulting in Arrests/Citations:

2/20
Embezzlement in the 1300 block of Ski Run Blvd
Resisting in the 1000 block of Emerald Bay Rd
Battery in the 2100 block of South Ave
Warrant in the 1200 block of Emerald Bay Rd

2/21
No Arrests

Two South Lake Tahoe cold cases solved with genetic genealogy

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - Two decades old murders in the South Lake Tahoe area have been solved using genetic genealogy, identifying a deceased local man as the murderer of two women.

During a El Dorado Cold Case Task Force press conference in Placerville Monday, District Attorney Vern Pierson said Joseph Stephen Holt of South Lake Tahoe and San Jose was responsible for killing Brynn Rainey in 1977 and Carol Ann Andersen in 1979.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

The following is a recap of activity for the South Lake Tahoe Police Department from February 8 - February 19. They responded to 334 calls during this period. Last week's report for January 25- February 7, 2019.

Calls Resulting in Arrests/Citations:

2/8
Burglary in the 2900 block of Springwood Dr
Trespassing in the 2000 block of Lark Parkway Dr

2/8
Domestic Battery in the 1500 block of Pioneer Tr

Body of missing El Dorado Hills woman found

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The El Dorado Hills woman missing since Valentine's Day was found deceased on Wednesday afternoon.

On February 20, 2019, at about 4:30 p.m., the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office (EDSO) was dispatched to a report of an unresponsive female in a vehicle at a local church parking lot. Fire and medical personnel responded and declared the woman deceased upon their arrival.

Search ends for missing skier at Heavenly Mountain Resort

UPDATE 12:30 p.m. - Heavenly Ski Patrol, with the assistance of a K9 search dog, have located the body of Brett Herrick in the Aries Woods, about 100 feet from the groomed trail. He was immersed in deep snow and found at about 10:00 a.m.

Initial investigation indicates Herrick crashed into very deep powder and could not self-rescue and likely suffocated or died from exposure. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.

The next of kin has been notified.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

2/7

5:41 p.m. - Lost Property - Highway 50 - VICTIM REPORTED LOST PROPERTY.

Valorie Jean Turley ~ 1953 - 2019

Valorie Jean Turley left our presence Sunday, January 13, 2019.
Valorie leaves three children, Jeremy Houston Sheldon, Jerrad Joseph Sheldon, of
Carson City, Nevada; and Kourtny Jean Sheldon of Las Vegas, Nevada.
As well as her three children, she leaves a daughter-in-law, Veronica (Mrs. Jeremy Sheldon) and beloved grandchildren, Helen Bernice Sheldon and Garrett Sheldon.

“To describe my mother is to write about a hurricane in its perfect power. Or the climbing falling colors of a rainbow.” (Maya Angelou)

38 years after skull is found, Jane Doe has a name

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - On March 22, 1974, Nancy Webster, 37, and her daughter, 19-year-old Rebecca Dinkel were seen at a café in the Garden Valley area of El Dorado County.

They left the cafe shortly after Nancy received a threatening phone call from her abusive, common-law husband, Clifton Mahaney.

It was the last time anyone saw either one of them alive.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

The following is a recap of activity for the South Lake Tahoe Police Department from January 25- February 7. They responded to 589 calls during this period. Last week's report for January 18 - 24, 2019.

Calls Resulting in Arrests/Citations:

1/25 - 63 calls

Warrant in the 2400 block of Osborne Ave
Transient/Homeless in the 1000 block of Emerald Bay Rd

1/26 - 93 calls

DUI in the 3700 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

1/23

4:51 a.m. - Missing Person - Price Road

Jewish approach to criminal justice to be studied at Chabad

Event Date: 
Repeats every week until Mon Mar 18 2019 .
February 4, 2019 (All day)
Event Date: 
February 11, 2019 (All day)
Event Date: 
February 18, 2019 (All day)
Event Date: 
February 25, 2019 (All day)
Event Date: 
March 4, 2019 (All day)
Event Date: 
March 11, 2019 (All day)
Event Date: 
March 18, 2019 (All day)

With criminal justice reform center-stage in the United States, Chabad will offer Crime and Consequence, a new CLE accredited six-session course by the acclaimed Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) exploring 3000 years of Jewish perspective on conviction, sentencing, and criminal rehabilitation.

Beginning Monday, Feb. 4 at 7:00pm participants in the course will challenge their thinking, ponder the implications of ancient Talmudic wisdom for complex modern cases, and get to the heart of the most pressing injustices facing our criminal justice system today.

Location

Chabad at Lake Tahoe
United States

Community invited to learn how to "Stop the Bleed"

Event Date: 
February 2, 2019 - 11:00am

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Stop the Bleed continues to empower the general public to make a difference in a life-threatening emergency by teaching them the basic techniques of bleeding control. After mass causality shootings across the country, it has become a necessity to know the proper way to stop others from bleeding to death.

South Lake Tahoe teachers were trained last week and now it is the local community's turn to be trained.

Murder charges filed against Martinez-Guzman; Timeline of crimes revealed

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Murder suspect Wilbur Ernesto Martinez-Guzman will be tried jointly in Reno, Nevada by both the Douglas County and Washoe County district attorneys in what could be a landmark case.

During a joint press conference Monday, the DAs from both counties outlined their case against Martinez-Guzam for the murders of Connie Koontz, Sophia Renken, Gerald David and Sharon David.

ONE TAHOE launched to address transportation needs around the lake

Event Date: 
January 29, 2019 - 4:00pm

LAKE TAHOE, CA/NV – Lake Tahoe needs our help. The “Jewel of the Sierra” is being loved to death. The vast amount of trips being made by motor vehicles have contributed to severe traffic congestion, unsafe conditions for cars, pedestrians, and cyclists, mounting air pollution, declining lake clarity, and other negative impacts.

"Stop the Bleed" presented to Lake Tahoe Unified teachers

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Teachers at South Tahoe High stayed after school Tuesday to learn what Homeland Security and the FBI want them to - how to correctly apply a tourniquet and help survivors should there be a mass casualty event.

Level III Trauma Center surgeon, Kimberly Evans, MD, FACS and Barton’s Trauma Program Manager, Cate Neal, RN joined South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue Captain Kim George in presenting "Stop the Bleed," a programs created by the Department of Homeland Security and American College of Surgeons to teach lay people how to care for trauma victims.

Sacred Arts of Tibet Tour returns to South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
January 22, 2019 - 7:00pm

Tibetan monks from the Gaden Shartse Monastery will be returning to South Lake Tahoe at the end of their two year tour of the United States. During their visit to South Lake Tahoe they will be sharing a variety of presentations, focussing on Green Tara the female Buddha of Compassionate Action. Events will include a Buddhist Philosophy Lecture by Venerable Geshe Wangyal, a Healing Ritual, an Empowerment/Blessing of Green Tara, a Meditation and Tibetan Calligraphy Workshop.

Location

Blue Angel Cafe
1132 Ski Run Blvd South Lake Tahoe, CA
United States

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

The following is a recap of activity for the South Lake Tahoe Police Department from January 11 - 17, 2019. They responded to 282 calls during this period. Last week's report for January 3 - 10, 2019.

Calls Resulting in Arrests/Citations:

1/11 - 39 calls
Warrant in the 900 block of Emerald Bay Rd
Drug Offense in the 1300 block of Kyburz

1/12 - 43 calls
Burglary in the 900 block of Bal Bijou Rd
DUI in the 1000 block of Emerald Bay Rd

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

1/9

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

12/26

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

The following is a recap of activity for the South Lake Tahoe Police Department from December 20, 2018 - January 2, 2019. They responded to 781 calls during this period.

Calls Resulting in Arrests/Citations:

12/20 - 36 calls
DUI at Lake Pkwy and Lower Loop Rd
Warrant in the 2500 block of Ponderosa

12/21 - 36 calls
DUI in the 1000 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd
Drunk in Public in the 2500 block of Conestoga
Battery on a Peace Officer at Fairway Ave and Glenwood Way

12/22 - 57 calls

Public memorial for Judge Terrence Finney in South Lake Tahoe Friday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A public memorial for the first superior court judge in the community, the Honorable Terrence M. Finney, will be held on Friday, January 4, 2019 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Department 3 of the South Lake Tahoe courthouse.

Finney passed away on November 7, 2018 at the age of 84.

Coroner says El Dorado County woman's death a homicide

The death of the 60-year-old grandmother whose body was found by her son on December 18 has been deemed a homicide as a result of blunt force trauma.

Deputies from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) arrived at the home of Helen Hoover McKinney at approximately 8:00 p.m. Once inside they found the victim inside the residence in the town of El Dorado.

Investigators have determined there was no forced entry to the home and the victim's 2017 Nissan 370Z was missing. McKinney's last known contact with family or
friends was on November 29.

Judith Virginia Brown ~ July 22, 1946 – December 8, 2018

Judith Virginia Brown passed away at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nev., on Dec. 8, 2018.

She was 72.

The new year brings new laws in California

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There are new laws in California in 2019 that will affect those on the road, bike paths, eating at restaurants, paying bail and receiving minimum wage. In 2018, 1,217 bills made it to Governor Brown's desk and he signed 1,016 of them which are now new laws.

Here is a highlight of some of those laws which will soon be in effect:

El Dorado County grandmother's death suspicious; Deputies searching for her car

A 60-year-old grandmother of six from El Dorado, California was found dead in her home on December 18 and deputies are investigating her death as suspicious.

Deputies from the El Dorado County Sheriff's office say they responded to the home Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. where they found Helen McKinney dead and her car missing.

The victim’s son found her body.

An investigation was conducted and it was found that McKinney’s vehicle was missing from her home. Her cause of death is pending the results of an autopsy but is suspicious due to the fact that the vehicle is missing.

Barton Health: The tools you need to prevent disease

Health care in the U.S. historically has been focused on treating the symptoms of sickness. The scientific accomplishments in this area are truly astonishing, but despite these advances, the American population as a whole isn’t healthier. In fact, chronic diseases are on the rise.

To combat this in our own community, Barton Health is offering the Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP), a national program proven to improve health and wellness. CHIP is designed to help people reduce their risk for disease through better health habits and lifestyle changes.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

The following is a recap of activity for the South Lake Tahoe Police Department from October 18-November 17. They responded to 868 calls during this period.

Calls Resulting in Arrests/Citations:

10/18 - 41 calls for the day
No Arrests

10/19 - 29 calls for the day
DUI in the 2500 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd
Unlicensed driver in the 3000 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd

10/20 - 31 calls for the day
DUI in the 1000 block of Lodi Ave
Unlicensed Driver in the 1200 block of Kyburz
Driving on a Suspended/Revoked License at Blackwood and Pioneer

Man who died after leaving SnowGlobe to be honored during Rose Parade

Hunter Weiss was 20-years-old when he attended the annual SnowGlobe Music Festival in South Lake Tahoe and was heading home to Reno on New Year's Day 2018. He and a friend pulled their vehicle over to sleep and left a propane heater on in the front of the truck to stay warm. Hunter died of carbon monoxide poisoning but his friend survived due to an open window on his side of the vehicle.

Weiss had been an organ donor and his corneas gave the gift of sight to two people, one whom had never seen before.

Drake Niven ~ 8/2/49 - 11/7/18

Drake Niven, a long-time Lake Tahoe contractor, died on November 7 of a heart attack suffered during surgery at Carson-Tahoe Medical Center. He was 69.

He was well known in the local building community and built custom homes all around the lake. Drake was also instrumental in helping friends and neighbors re-build their homes after the Angora Fire. He just recently retired from building due to health issues.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

10/31

8:04 a.m. - Information - Al Tahoe Blvd

Young Frankenstein heads into final weekend at South Tahoe High

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It's been 44 years since Gene Wilder brought the character of Dr. Frankenstein to the Mel Brooks comedy Young Frankenstein, along with Peter Boyle as the monster and Marty Feldman as Igor.

Now Young Frankenstein returns to the South Tahoe stage for a six-day run in their TADA Theater. Opening night was a sellout with two more days of full crowds, and they continue the production November 9-11.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

The following is a recap of activity for the South Lake Tahoe Police Department from October 1 to 17. They responded to 476 calls during this period.

Calls Resulting in Arrests/Citations:

10/1 - 42 calls

Drunk in Public in the 1800 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd.

10/2 - 28 calls

No Arrests

10/3 - 22 calls

DUI at Lake Tahoe Blvd and Los Angeles Ave
Violation of Domestic Violence Court Order in the 2500 block of William Ave

10/4 - 29 calls

Warrant at Transit Way and Lake Tahoe Blvd

10/5 - 28 calls

Drunk in Public in the 1000 block of Johnson Blvd

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

10/24

Reading this could save your life: The dangers of high blood pressure

Event Date: 
November 8, 2018 - 6:00pm

High blood pressure is very common. The Centers for Disease Control states that it affects one in three American adults and more than 50 percent of people over 55 years of age.

High blood pressure is also a major cause of premature death. It leads to heart failure, stroke, heart attack, and chronic kidney disease. Worldwide, the World Health Organization estimates it is responsible for 9.4 million deaths per year.

Armed robbery suspect identified as man killed after shooting at police

11/1/18 update: More details have come to light surrounding the officer involved shooting of an armed robbery suspect in Meyers on Monday.

There were three warrants for the arrest of Billy Jo Johnson on Monday, one from each South Lake Tahoe, Douglas County and Carson City. Law enforcement from each agency were working together on their cases in an attempt to locate and arrest the 34-year-old Johnson.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

10/17

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

9/27

7:04 p.m.- Impersonate a Police Officer - Apache Ave

9/28

Body found in Gardnerville, Douglas County Sheriff's Office investigating

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) is investigating the death of a man whose body was found near the Chichester housing development Monday, October 8, 2018.

At approximately 7:00 a.m., deputies located a motor vehicle belonging to a man who was reported missing the night before. A search of the area located the man deceased in the field behind Carson Valley Middle School.

At this time there does not appear to be anything suspicious about the death. The family has been notified.

No name has been released.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

9/26

Column: Knowing the signs of suicide … and the misconceptions

Suicide is a public health issue that impacts everyone. For some of us, we are reminded of suicide daily. Yet, it is important to know that suicide can be prevented.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is one of the top ten causes of death in the United States. The leading reason for suicide is unmanaged depression or a mood disorder. Considering that 20 to 25 percent of Americans are affected by depression, it is important to know the signs that may help save someone’s life.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

9/6

911 ceremony in South Lake Tahoe: Let freedom ring in all we do

September 11, 2001 - It's been 17 years since America experienced a tragedy that will never be forgotten. 2,983 people, ages 3-to-79, died that day in New York, Virginia and Philadelphia. In 17 years, time has not lessened or dissolved the sense of loss that occurred that day.

To honor 9-11 in South Lake Tahoe, the American Legion held their annual ceremony Tuesday with first responders, veterans and the community present to remember a day that not only was a time of death and destruction, but also a day of courage, heroism and love.

Victims identified in Washoe Valley plane crash

A glider aircraft crashed into the hillside between the Washoe Valley and Mt. Rose on September 2, sparking the 64-acre Slide Fire and killing the two California residents onboard.

The Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office has positively identified the two deceased individuals as Sergio Colacevich, 80, of Carmichael and James Alton, 60, of San Ramon were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident and were later identified by dental comparison.

According to authorities, the glider took off from the Truckee Tahoe Airport shortly before the 2:00 p.m. crash.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at time of story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

8/22

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